Dr. Stuckey helped me with a filling a few months ago while I was out of town visiting family from Texas. He was EXTREMELY professional, knowledgable and quick. I give him the highest recommendation I can and would send anyone I know to see him any day of the week!

My family has been coming to Briarfield Dental for around 2 years. The office staff is very friendly and are will to listen and help in whatever way they can. However for me Dr Stuckey has improved my over health in a way I thought could ever happen. I suffer from sleep apnea and I went through all the sleep studies and 2 different types Cpap machines. The devices did not work for me at all. Dr. Stuckey over the 2 years was talking to me on how certain dental appliances can provide relief or reduce sleep apnea issues. During this time I was very skeptical the devices would work and kept finding excuses not to try. I final decided to have Dr Stuckey treat me a few months ago and I am extremely happy as I am sleeping much much better with almost no snoring. The biggest benift is my wife can now sleep too and does not worry about me during the night. If anyone is still having sleep apnea issues even with cpap machines I would highly recommend coming in a seeing Dr Stuckey.

From the moment you walk into the reception area, through your time with the fantastic hygenists, and you end review with Dr. Stucky, you experience top rate customer service and care. This team truly “gets” what the meaning of quality and customer service is. You get top rate care from FRIENDLY people, and the dental skills are second to none. It really is a TOTAL experience from check in, your time with the hygenists/dentist, until you check out. The skill set coupled with customer service is truly amazing…nowhere, and I mean nowhere else for me, ever….loyal patient for over 20 years. Lori Yeary

DIY Teeth Whitening Trends: Fact Or Fiction?

TRENDS IMPACT JUST ABOUT every aspect of life, from slang and fashion to which toys are collectibles this year and which fad diet everyone’s aunt is doing.

Most trends are harmless symptoms of an ever-evolving society and culture, but when they affect the ways we take care of ourselves, they can become serious. In recent years, do-it-yourself teeth whitening has been a “trendy” topic, so let’s take a look at a few of the more popular methods.

Charcoal Versus Tooth Enamel

As counterintuitive as it seems to rub black powder on your teeth and expect them to become whiter, the rationale behind the idea makes sense. Charcoal is extremely porous and absorbent, and has been used even in hospitals to safely neutralize toxins. In theory, it could do the same for your teeth.

However, charcoal isn’t just porous, it’s also abrasive. Even as it absorbs harmful compounds from your mouth and disrupts bacterial populations, it could also be scraping away your enamel, doing more harm than good. Until we know more about the effects of charcoal on teeth, it’s safer to give that home remedy a pass.

Lemon Juice: Dissolving Stains Or Dissolving Teeth?

The enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, but it is extremely susceptible to erosion by acid. Your saliva keeps the pH in your mouth balanced to protect your enamel, but any time you eat or drink something acidic, that pH is disrupted and your teeth are vulnerable. Using lemon juice on your teeth in hopes of whitening them is, therefore, likely to cause a lot of enamel erosion, and once that enamel is gone, it’s gone for good.

Oil Pulling: An Ancient Folk Remedy

Oil pulling involves swishing oil (typically coconut, sunflower, sesame, or olive oil) around in one’s mouth for up to twenty minutes. Proponents of oil pulling claim it has numerous health benefits, including teeth whitening, but the American Dental association doesn’t recommend it because there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims.

Strawberries And Bananas

Strawberries do contain some citric acid, but they also contain malic acid (particularly when ripe), which actually can give your teeth a whiter appearance. Bananas contain potassium, magnesium, and manganese, all of which promote healthier teeth and can help remove surface stains. So these two do-it-yourself teeth whiteners may actually provide some benefit! Both fruits still contain sugar, however, so you should still brush your teeth with dentist approved toothpaste after eating them.

Curious about those whitening mouthpieces that emit blue light you see all over social media? Watch the video below to learn whether or not they’re really effective:

Stick To The Science

Trends like charcoal toothpaste and lemon juice mouthwash will come and (hopefully) go, and occasionally we’ll discover remedies that do have benefits, like strawberries and bananas, but the best benefits to our teeth will always come from dentist-approved methods. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day, avoid sugary drinks and snacks, and schedule regular dental appointments.

If all of these good habits aren’t keeping your teeth white enough, talk to us about safe, professional whitening options.

Healthy smiles are beautiful smiles!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.